SEARCY — John W. Howell, Jr.,

93, passed from this life to a better life on Saturday, November 13, 2021, in Searcy, Ark.. He was born in Memphis, Tenn., on November 25, 1927, where he lived all his life until moving to Searcy in 2006 with his wife of 63 years, Lotha. He was the sixth child of John W. Howell, Sr. and Annie Smith Howell. He graduated from Memphis Technical High School in January, 1946, and four months later was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps. He was stationed, during 1946 and 1947, on the the island of Okinawa as part of the Headquarters Squadron of the First Air Division, United States Army Air Corps. While still in high school he began a 61-year career in the printing industry at the age of 16 by becoming an apprentice printer with White Printing Company. During subsequent years he worked with Superior Press, S.C. Toof Printers, Kelley & Jameson Typographers and the last 32 years of his printing career with E.H. Clarke & Bros. in downtown Memphis. After his official retirement in 1992 he had a small printing business at home for about 12 years. During his life in Memphis he was a member of Floyd Avenue Church of Christ and Forestview Church of Christ. He taught Bible classes and occasionally preached for over 50 years. In Searcy, he was a member of Westside Church of Christ. For several years he was a volunteer with White County Medical Center. He leaves his wife, Lotha May Holloway Howell of Searcy; two children, Barbara Marshall and John W. Howell, III of Chico, Calif.,; stepdaughter, Sharon Pitt and her husband Paul of Searcy; as well as nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Joann McNicholas of Palos Heights, Illinois. He was preceded in death by a son, Steven Howell. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, November 17, 2021; at 10 a.m. at the Powell Funeral Home Chapel. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the Memphis Memory Gardens. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.